NY Governor Kathy Hochul on Winter Storm Response and Emergency Measures

Winter Storm Preparedness and Response

• ❄️ Governor Hochul addressed the state's response to a severe winter storm, emphasizing the transition from weekend impact to weekday challenges.
• 🚗 A key concern is ensuring public safety on roads as New Yorkers return to work, with a plea for employers to allow remote work and for drivers to heed the "don't crowd the plow" warning.

Declaring a State of Emergency

• 🚨 A state of emergency is declared to convey the life-threatening nature of the storm, including record-breaking cold temperatures (e.g., -34°F in Watertown) and dangerous conditions.
• 🛠️ This declaration grants the governor flexibility to deploy state resources like snow plows and procure essential supplies (e.g., salt) without bureaucratic hurdles.
• 🛡️ The full power of the government is leveraged to protect citizens on roads and in their homes.

National Guard and State Resources

• 💂 Over 200 National Guard members have been deployed, primarily in the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and New York City, to assist with warming shelters and stranded vehicles.
• 🧊 The state anticipates freezing temperatures to persist for at least nine more days, requiring sustained efforts.

Statewide Impact and Operations

• 📊 New York's sophisticated weather tracking system and emergency operations center, involving nine agencies, are monitoring the storm's unfolding impact across all regions.
• 💨 Fortunately, high winds and blinding whiteouts have not been a major issue, unlike in previous storms experienced in Buffalo.
• 🚆 The MTA is operating, but delays are possible due to snow on tracks; the Harlem River Drive experienced a temporary closure due to a disabled vehicle.
• ✈️ Airports, such as LaGuardia (LGA), are facing massive cancellations and disruptions, with some closures extending into the morning.

Power Outages and Utility Response

• ⚡ Approximately 5,500 utility crews are deployed statewide to restore power, with fewer than 2,000 customers currently experiencing outages.
• ⚠️ The absence of high winds and ice accumulation is preventing widespread wire damage and power line failures, which can add significant weight (700 lbs per inch of ice) to power lines.